(19)

(11)

EP 1 280 579 A2

(12)

(88) Date of publication A3: 23.05.2002 (43) Date of publication: 05.02.2003 Bulletin 2003/06 (21) Application number: 01932703.0 (22) Date of filing: 30.04.2001

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC)7: A61M 37/00 (86) International application number: PCT/US0113/655 (87) International publication number: WO 0108/2996 (08.11.2001 Gazette 2001/45)

(84) Designated Contracting States: AT BE CH CY DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LI LU MC NL PT SE TR Designated Extension States: AL LT LV MK RO SI (30) Priority: 28.04.2000 US 561229 (71) Applicant: Cirque Medical Incorporated Pinecrest, FL 33156 (US)	(72) Inventor: LEONE, James, Ernest Pinecrest, FL 33156 (US) (74) Representative: Kahlhöfer, Hermann, Dipl.-Phys. et al PatentanwälteKahlhöfer NeumannHerzog FiesserKarlstrasse 76 40210 Düsseldorf 40210 Düsseldorf (DE)